Prominent conservatives and allies of slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk are decrying Jimmy Kimmel's attempt at a mea culpa, calling the comedian's words "sick" and his tears "fake."
Kimmel's talk show returned to the air Tuesday night, and he attempted to offer an apology for his comments last week, saying: "I've been hearing a lot about what I need to say and do tonight, and the truth is, I don't think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me. If you don't, you don't.
"I have no illusions about changing anyone's mind. But I want to make something clear, because it's important to me as a human, and that is — you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man."
Disney-owned ABC suspended Kimmel's late-night show briefly last week following comments he made about Kirk's assassination. saying: "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."
Special: Charlie Kirk’s Voice Cannot Be Silenced... See More Here.
Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of Kirk's podcast and a longtime friend, posted: "Not good enough. Jimmy, it's simple. Here's what you need to say: I'm sorry for saying the shooter was MAGA. He was not. He was on the left. I apologize to the Kirk family for lying. Please accept my sincere apology. I will do better. I was wrong."
Another close associate of Kirk's, journalist Jack Posobiec, mocked Kimmel's efforts, saying on X: "Look at Jimmy 'The Martyr' Kimmel fake crying tonight Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender DARVO playbook This is what they do."
Actor James Woods said Kirk's killing was a result of Kimmel's relentless demonizing of conservatives over the years, posting: "It was your unrelenting hatred of conservative Americans that put Charlie Kirk in his grave, Kimmel. You called us all 'fascists' until somebody believed you enough to kill a man better than you'll ever be. How dare you even say his name."
Kirk was gunned down Sept. 10 at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Police have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the slaying. Prosecutors have filed a capital murder charge against him and will seek the death penalty.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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